Since assuming office as Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, has charted a bold and strategic development path that is reshaping the socioeconomic landscape of the state. Driven by a clear vision for growth, inclusivity, and improved quality of life, the governor’s administration continues to implement impactful policies and projects across key sectors.

Below is a comprehensive overview of his major achievements and ongoing initiatives:

1. Imo State’s Flagship Energy Project: ANOH Gas Plant and Federal Debt Clearance

The Assa North–Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Project is a landmark initiative in Imo State, jointly owned by Seplat Energy and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). With a total cost of approximately $650 million, the project was funded through a mix of equity ($420 million) and a $260 million syndicated debt facility from seven leading banks, including UBA, Zenith, and Stanbic IBTC. The plant achieved “first gas” on 16 January 2026, currently supplying 40–52 MMscfd of processed gas to Indorama and producing ~2–2.5  kboepd of condensate, with output ramping to its full 300 MMscfd design capacity. Revenue from production is projected to provide $30 million annually in dividends to the partners, marking a milestone in energy-driven economic growth for Imo State.

In tandem with ANOH’s operational launch, the Federal Government in December 2025, authorized the payment of ₦185 billion in long-standing gas debts owed to domestic producers, boosting investor confidence across the Orashi Energy Free Trade Zone and the Izombe Hub. This payment ensures timely compensation for gas supplied to the national power grid, while projections indicate that gas royalties and the Light Up Imo Project will significantly improve the state’s debt-to-revenue ratio by 2029. The dual actions of debt clearance and ANOH commissioning signal a shift from financing challenges to production-led economic sustainability.

The ANOH Gas Plant positions Imo State as a major domestic gas supplier, supporting both industrial and power-generation needs. The facility operates with minimal flaring, contributing to environmental sustainability, and is capable of supporting ~1.2 GW of domestic power generation once fully ramped. Alongside Imo’s designation as a hub for two strategic gas clusters (Assa North and Izombe), the project unlocks the state’s 200 trillion cubic feet of gas resources, laying the foundation for local industrialization, energy security, and long-term economic transformation in the South-East region.

Unprecedented Infrastructure Development  (Inter-State Road Networks )

A major pillar of Governor Uzodimma’s agenda has been “Infrastructural Revolution” in Imo, which serves as a transit hub, particularly the road network that connects communities, enhances commerce, and unlocks economic potential.

Owerri-Orlu Road

The administration has reconstructed and dualised critical arterial roads such as Owerri-Orlu Road, Owerri-Okigwe Road, and Owerri-Mbaise-Obowo-Umuahia roads. These are critical trade routes linking Imo to Abia, Anambra and Enugu, helping  improve mobility across senatorial zones.

Owerri-Okigwe Road

Governor Hope Uzodimma has been a leading advocate for the dredging of the Orashi River as a strategic route to the Atlantic Ocean. Full realization of this plan would establish seaport access for the South East, drastically reducing the cost of importing goods for regional traders.

 

Over 100 major roads have been constructed or rehabilitated state wide, a testament to the government’s commitment to seamless transportation and regional connectivity.

In urban mobility, the governor delivered the first flyover at Assumpta Avenue in Owerri to ease traffic flow and support business activity.

The Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport was modernised, including the addition of night-landing capability, positioning Imo as a logistics and trade hub.

These infrastructure investments have opened doors for agriculture, commerce, and faster response to security and health emergencies.

Boosting Healthcare Access and Quality

Healthcare reforms under Governor Uzodimma are expanding access and improving service delivery:

The Imo State Health Insurance Scheme has been significantly broadened, offering affordable healthcare to thousands of residents.

General hospitals in Ohaji, Oguta, and Omuma were built or upgraded, along with revitalising primary healthcare centres across local government areas.

Teaching hospitals have been upgraded and accreditation for nursing and midwifery institutions restored, strengthening the state’s medical training pipeline.

These reforms are bridging health gaps and improving outcomes across the population.

Education Reform and Youth Empowerment

Governor Uzodimma’s administration has pursued bold strides in education and youth capacity building:

The state expanded its portfolio of state-funded tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges.

The Skill Up Imo initiative was launched to equip youth with digital skills in areas such as software development, AI, and cybersecurity  preparing them for the digital economy.

Schools across underserved communities have been built or renovated, providing conducive learning environments for students.

education and capacity building in imo state

These efforts are strengthening the human capital necessary for the future workforce.

Urban Renewal and Public Utilities

Urban development remains a priority:

State government structures, including the House of Assembly Complex, have been revitalised.

Urban utilities such as water works have been rehabilitated to ensure reliable clean water supply, particularly in Owerri.

These upgrades enhance citizen welfare and support growing urban populations.

Economic & Industrial Growth

The governor’s policies are steering Imo toward economic resilience:

Key agricultural enterprises like Adapalm and Acharaubo Farms were revived to create jobs and stimulate local production.

Reviving dormant agricultural assets has been a key part of Governor Uzodimma’s strategy to drive food production, employment, and rural economic growth. Adapalm Nigeria Limited, one of the largest oil palm plantations in the South-East, has been repositioned through reforms and operational restructuring to restore plantation and processing activities. Its revitalisation strengthens the palm oil value chain, supports smallholder farmers, and creates jobs in cultivation, harvesting, logistics, and processing, while reinforcing Imo State’s contribution to Nigeria’s agro-processing sector.

Likewise, the revival of Acharaubo Farms supports commercial agriculture and food security by restoring large-scale farming operations and encouraging youth participation in agribusiness. Increased agricultural output from these initiatives feeds into agro-processing and industrial supply chains, helping to transition Imo from subsistence farming toward a more structured, market-driven agricultural economy that promotes rural development, job creation, and higher internally generated revenue.Industrial growth has been encouraged through policy frameworks that integrate Imo into Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones.

Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen through digitalisation and fiscal reforms, enabling sustainable funding for state programmes.

These measures are creating a more diversified and robust state economy.

Economic and Digital Empowerment

The Governor has focused on transitioning the regional economy from “generator-dependent” to “digital and industrial.”

The skillup Imo Project: This initiative trained over 50,000 youths in digital skills (AI, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering).

Governance, Security Collaboration, and Transparency

Governor Uzodimma has strengthened governance structures and peace in the state:

Strategic financial management has led to a dramatic reduction in state debt, while reinforcing transparency and accountability.

Regional Security Synergy: Facilitating cooperation between the five South East states to combat “unknown gunmen” and enforce the end of illegal “sit-at-home” orders that cripple the regional economy  

Improved security partnerships, thereby hosting regional security summits to bridge the gap between federal and security agencies and local communities. This action has fostered safer communities in Imo State.

Citizens now experience a tangible sense of safety and confidence in governance.

Digital Transformation and E-Governance

Innovation and digitalisation are central to modern governance:

Innovation and digitalisation form a core pillar of the Uzodimma administration’s governance approach, aimed at modernising public service delivery and positioning Imo State for the digital future. The establishment of the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government is driving broadband expansion, technology adoption, and the deployment of digital public services, enabling more efficient coordination across ministries and improved access to government platforms for citizens.

Complementing this effort is the development of initiatives such as the Imo Digital City innovation hub, which supports technology-driven entrepreneurship, skills development, and digital inclusion. Together, these initiatives are transforming how government operates streamlining processes, enhancing transparency, and making services more accessible, responsive, and citizen-focused in an increasingly technology-driven world

Regional Collaboration and National Impact

Governor Uzodimma continues to amplify Imo’s voice beyond state borders:

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, in his role as Chairman of the South East Governors’s Forum, has established himself as a significant intermediary between the South East and the federal government. His efforts are largely centered on ensuring the region’s inclusion in national political discussions and securing federal investments for its development.

At the national level, President Bola Tinubu appointed him as Renewed Hope Ambassador for the Federal Government’s Ward Development Programme a recognition of his leadership and influence.

Hope’s Appointment as renewed Hope Ambassador

These roles elevate Imo’s visibility and access to federal opportunities.

Conclusion

Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration represents more than a collection of projects; it reflects a deliberate restructuring of Imo State’s development foundation. From energy to infrastructure, agriculture to digital innovation, governance to human capital development, the state is moving from short-term fixes to long-term systems that can sustain growth. The emphasis on connectivity, industrial capacity, healthcare access, educational reform, and technology-driven governance signals a leadership model focused on durability, not just visibility.

What stands out is the alignment between vision and execution. Strategic investments such as the ANOH Gas Plant, expansive road networks, digital transformation initiatives, and agricultural revival demonstrate a clear shift toward productivity, economic self-reliance, and institutional strengthening. These efforts are not isolated achievements but interconnected reforms designed to position Imo as a competitive, investment-ready, and opportunity-driven state within the South-East and Nigeria at large.

As these initiatives continue to mature, Imo State is steadily redefining its trajectory from a consumption-based economy to a production-driven one, from infrastructure deficits to connectivity leadership, and from administrative processes to digital governance. Governor Uzodimma’s development blueprint therefore stands as a long-term framework for inclusive prosperity, laying the groundwork for a future where growth is sustained, opportunities are expanded, and governance delivers measurable impact for generations to come.